Aurora Leigh
Aurora Leigh, published in 1856, is Elizabeth Barrett Browning's novel in nine books of blank verse and her longest work. Aurora, born in Florence to an English father and an Italian mother, is orphaned and sent to an aunt in England, where she resolves to be a poet and refuses the marriage proposal of her cousin Romney Leigh, a wealthy social reformer who thinks poetry useless beside the work of relieving the poor. The poem follows their separate paths through London literary life, philanthropy and the fate of a seamstress, Marian Erle, to Paris and Italy. It argues for women's vocation as artists and for poetry that engages its own age. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first book is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Aurora Leigh
Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Aurora Leigh online?
Yes. Aurora Leigh opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Aurora Leigh free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Aurora Leigh is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Aurora Leigh in the public domain?
Yes. Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Aurora Leigh?
About 5 h 46 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Aurora Leigh?
Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
